Infertile Lovebird Eggs (Causes and Identification)

Last Updated on May 1, 2022 by Ali Shahid

A potential problem for breeders and owners is infertile lovebirds’ eggs. Infertile lovebird eggs may be familiar to anyone involved with lovebirds. When lovebirds lay eggs, many owners are extremely happy.

Sadly, this happiness changes into sadness when the owner learns that the eggs are infertile. So what are the reasons for Infertile lovebird eggs? When there are no male lovebirds, a female will lay an infertile egg.

Infertile Lovebird Eggs

Lack of natural environment, inadequate nutrition, a lack of calcium, genetics, and overall health can also contribute to this problem.

The purpose of this article is to explain the reasons behind infertile lovebirds’ eggs as well as how to identify infertile lovebirds’ eggs. It will allow you to save money and time.

Causes

There are many possible causes for lovebirds to lay infertile eggs. Let’s check all these one by one.

No fertile eggs Without males

A female lovebird will lay an egg regardless of whether she has a mate or not when she is between 9 and 12 months old. If there is no mate, the eggs will not be fertile.

This is why people sometimes buy two males or two females. If housed together, the first case may result in an infertile clutch of eggs, while the latter may not produce any eggs.

Mating between a lovebird pair will result in infertile eggs, however, occasionally there may be cases of infertile eggs being laid as well.

Environmental

Temperature fluctuations can temporarily impair fertility. Make sure the perches are firmly fastened.

Perches that were too close to the ceiling of the cage or not stable enough resulted in infertile eggs, or they were not providing a stable enough surface for successful mating. Put the incubator in a stable environment if you are artificially incubating eggs.

The temperature of the room should remain in the 70s while incubators are installed. It works with temperatures between 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, however. A hatch can still be made at 60 degrees or 90 degrees.

Even the most expensive professional incubators would not be able to maintain the right temperature inside the unit to ensure hatching if the temperature drops below 60 or goes above 90 degrees.

It’s best to place incubators away from direct sunlight.

Nutritional

Egg laying and fertility can be affected directly by inadequate calcium, sodium, and energy. A high zinc intake can lead to infertility. There is an increased risk of decreased ovulation due to obesity.

One way to increase fertility is to increase the variety of foods fed to the female. Aflatoxins found in seeds have been linked to decreased fertility.

Genetics

Having too many inbreedings can lead to physical defects, abnormal mating behavior, and lowered semen quality.

As a result of selective breeding, some bird species have been rendered incapable of reproducing, including some budgies. Most hybrid eggs do not hatch.

Age and Experience of Lovebirds

When hens are young, they produce a limited amount of eggs; after they reach old age, their fertility goes down until they cease to lay eggs.

Young birds can lay infertile eggs due to inadequate “techniques. Another possibility is poor physical health.

Excessive use of Medicine

Doxycycline, for instance, lists a reduction in male fertility among its side effects.

Time Factor

Eggs’ hatchability decreases with passing time. Hatching chicks are more likely to occur if incubation begins early.

The overall health of parents

In cases of poor health, the egg will die or the chicks inside will be reduced infertility. Inbreeding aviaries, psittacosis can cause infertility and baby death.

To rule out illness as the cause of the problem, the first step should be to take your pet to the vet. A simple white blood cell count may be the only test necessary.

The problem is more likely to be social or environmental if his count is normal or only slightly elevated.

Pairing Between Same Sexes

In the case of pairing up two males or two females, the breeding process will follow the same route as if they were a compatible couple. Both females will lay eggs and both females will incubate their eggs.

Occasionally, two males may mate simultaneously, although nesting is just a ritual and eggs aren’t laid.

Low fertility may be the result of excessive time spent in territorial defense. For instance, a bird under stress or fear of human contact will have a lower fertility rate.

How to Identify infertile Lovebirds eggs

You can

Crack Open Eggs

In its early stages, cracking an egg is the most accurate way to determine if it is fertile or not. Check to see if the blastodisc has become a blastoderm after it has been cracked.

When an egg is cracked open, you don’t plan on breeding or incubating chicks. Eggs that are infertile or fertile taste the same when cracked for consumption.

Candling Eggs

Candles can be used to observe embryonic development inside an egg. Candle tests can be used to determine if an egg is fertile after it has been incubated for a few days.

Watch what you see inside an egg when it’s exposed to a candle or strong light, such as a light from an incubator.

Fertilized eggs will show many signs of developing, including blood vessels, embryos in a solid shape, and even moving inside the egg.

If the embryo in a fertile egg stops developing, it will show blood streaks or blood rings. Those blood vessels that once supported the embryo have been retracted since it is no longer viable.

The yolkier or egg of an infertile egg will appear fairly clear, without blood streaks or rings. 

Check If eggs Are Floating

A floating egg is often infertile due to its insufficient volume to sink. A heavier egg means a fertile one. Ensure all embryos have developed in your bird eggs after they’ve been sitting for a few days.

Ideally, fertile eggs should only be moved occasionally and not too often. Eggs taken too early from their incubators can stunt their development, while eggs taken too late can adversely affect the chick inside.

Pour warm water into a bowl. Make sure the water is warm if you have a fertile bird egg. Add the eggs to the warm water carefully. Eggs can be very delicate. Check to see whether they float or sink. Place the fertilized eggs back into the incubator immediately.